With Pontypridd’s game at Pontypool postponed, second-placed Neath were given the chance to make up some ground on the runaway leaders. The Welsh All-Black’s fly-half James Thomas welcomed Tonmawr to The Gnoll with three quick-fire penalties before Luke Richards hit back with a penalty of his own.
The momentum continued with Tonmawr after the break as flanker Andrew Gwynne crossed, but Neath prop Ross Davies replied with a try soon after, and ultimately the boot of James Thomas did the damage as two more penalties gave Neath a 19-10 victory.
Elsewhere, Llanelli also owed their triumph to their kicker, as Wales U20’s Steve Shingler landed five penalties to squeeze his team past Carmarthen Quins 15-11.
Swansea and Cross Key’s match at Pandy Park got off to a slow start as the fly-halfs traded penalties to trudge to a 6-3 halftime score. But the game transformed into a thriller in the second half as centre Hanno Dirksen, fresh from signing his first regional contract with the Ospreys, sprinted over for Swansea. But Cross Keys hit back with touch-downs from Marcus Johnstone and Lloyd Burns to take a 21-16 win.
Glamorgan Wanderers picked up only their second win of the season, in some style against Llandovery. Wales U20’s star Josh Navidi grabbed two tries, before Mark O’Leary, Richard Thomas, and Elliot Jones all crossed. A late penalty try handed Glamorgan an emphatic bonus point win 41-33.
At the Bridge Field, Newport-Gwent Dragon’s wing Nathan Brew scored a sensational first-half hat-trick for the Black and Ambers to hand Newport victory at Bedwas. After Brew’s virtuoso performance in, Bedwas gave their all after the break, Ian Smurden and Jake Cooper crashing over to give the hosts hope. But Newport held on, Gareth Brown landing a penalty to secure a 28-25 win for Newport.
Finally, Aberavon comfortably defeated beleaguered Cardiff, thanks to tries for Richard Thomas, Daniel Davies and Richard Carter.
